Four killed after car crashes into crowd during Philly police chase

June 11, 2009

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Police say two wanted men caused a horrific crash in Philadelphia where a vehicle jumped a curb and slammed into a crowd, killing four people, including an infant two days short of her first birthday.

Philadelphia police say 18-year-old Donta Cradock and 20-year-old Ivan Rodriguez both have lengthy criminal records. They have been charged in the theft of a motorcycle that police say prompted the chase and are awaiting further charges.

Police say the victims were 22-year-old Latoya Smith, her 11-month-old daughter Remedy, 7-year-old Gina Rosario and 6-year-old Alicia Griffin. All three children Wednesday night after the accident. Latoya Smith died Thursday morning.

Police say the chase began with a report of two men stealing a motorcycle at gunpoint. One man fled on the motorcycle and the other sped away in a car.

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Police were pursuing the car when it jumped the curb and hit the crowd in front of Smith's house.